What Is the MOT Test?
The MOT (Ministry of Transport) test is an annual inspection required for most vehicles over three years old in England, Scotland, and Wales. It checks that your vehicle meets the minimum safety and environmental standards for use on public roads. The test is conducted by DVSA-authorised examiners at approved test centres (ATCs) and covers a standardised list of components defined in the MOT inspection manual.
Below is the complete list of items checked during the MOT, organised by category. For each section, we explain what the inspector looks for and what is likely to cause a failure.
1. Lights, Lamps & Electrical Equipment
The lighting inspection is the most failure-prone part of the MOT. Every external light must operate correctly, be the right colour, and be securely mounted.
Items Checked:
- Headlights — operation of dipped and main beam, correct colour (white/yellow), aim tested with a beam setter
- Front position lights (sidelights) — operation, colour, condition
- Rear position lights (tail lights) — operation, colour, condition
- Stop lights (brake lights) — operation, colour, including high-level brake light if fitted as standard
- Rear fog light(s) — at least one must work, correct colour (red)
- Direction indicators — operation, correct flash rate (60-120 flashes per minute), colour
- Hazard warning lights — must operate with ignition on and off
- Number plate light — must illuminate the rear plate sufficiently
- Rear reflectors — presence, colour (red), condition
- Front fog lights — if fitted, must work and be correctly aimed
- Daytime running lights — if fitted as standard, must operate correctly
- Headlight washers — required on vehicles with HID or LED headlights first used from 1 April 2009
- Self-levelling headlights — must function on vehicles where fitted as standard
2. Steering
The inspector checks the entire steering system from the steering wheel through to the front wheels, looking for excessive play, wear, and damage.
Items Checked:
- Steering wheel — condition, security, excessive free play
- Steering column — security, universal joints, flexible couplings
- Steering rack and pinion — wear, leaks, security of mounting bolts
- Steering rack gaiters — must be intact, not split or missing
- Track rod ends (inner and outer) — wear and security
- Power steering — operation, fluid level, leaks from hoses and seals
- Power steering / EPAS warning light — must not be illuminated
- Steering lock and ignition — steering lock must not engage while driving (where applicable)
3. Suspension
Suspension is tested by rocking the vehicle, visually inspecting components, and checking for play in joints and bearings. The inspector works through each corner of the vehicle.
Items Checked:
- Shock absorbers (dampers) — leaking, excessive damper travel, security
- Coil springs — cracked, broken, corroded, or incorrectly seated
- Leaf springs — broken leaves, U-bolts, shackle pins
- Wishbone and suspension arm bushes — perished, split, or deteriorated
- Anti-roll bar — links, bushes, and mountings
- Ball joints — excessive wear, damaged gaiters
- Wheel bearings — roughness, excessive play
- Suspension mounting points — structural integrity, corrosion
- Sub-frame — security, condition, mounting bushes
- Ride height — must not be excessively low or uneven side-to-side
4. Brakes
Braking performance is tested on a roller brake tester (or decelerometer for larger vehicles). The inspector also visually checks all brake components for condition and security.
Items Checked:
- Service brake (foot brake) — minimum 58% efficiency
- Parking brake (handbrake) — minimum 16% efficiency
- Brake imbalance — maximum 30% difference between left and right
- Brake pedal — condition, travel, servo operation
- Brake discs — excessive wear, scoring, cracks, distortion
- Brake drums — condition and wear
- Brake pads and shoes — minimum friction material thickness
- Brake callipers — leaks, security, slider pin operation
- Brake hoses — condition, routing, leaks, chafing, bulging
- Brake pipes — corrosion, damage, security, union condition
- Brake fluid reservoir — level, cap security
- ABS (Anti-lock Braking System) — warning light must illuminate at ignition and extinguish
- Electronic Stability Control (ESC) — warning light check (if fitted as standard)
- Parking brake lever or switch — operation and travel
5. Tyres & Wheels
Each tyre is inspected for condition, tread depth, and compatibility. All wheels are checked for security and condition.
Items Checked:
- Tread depth — minimum 1.6mm across the central three-quarters of the tread width, around the entire circumference
- Tyre condition — cuts, bulges, exposed cords, cracking, or uneven wear
- Tyre size — must match the vehicle manufacturer specification
- Tyre type — same type (radial or cross-ply) on each axle
- Tyre pressure — visibly under-inflated tyres may be failed
- Spare tyre — not inspected (the spare wheel is not part of the MOT)
- Wheel security — all wheel nuts/bolts present and tight
- Wheel condition — cracks, distortion, or damage
- TPMS (Tyre Pressure Monitoring System) — warning light check for vehicles first used from 1 January 2012
6. Seatbelts & Restraint Systems
All seatbelts fitted to the vehicle are checked for condition, security, and correct operation. The airbag warning light is also tested.
Items Checked:
- Seatbelt webbing — cuts, fraying, or contamination
- Seatbelt buckle — must latch and release correctly
- Seatbelt retraction — must retract smoothly and fully
- Seatbelt mounting points — security, not corroded or weakened
- Inertia reel locking — must lock under sudden deceleration
- Airbag warning light (SRS) — must illuminate at ignition and extinguish within a reasonable time. A permanently lit or absent SRS warning light is a failure
7. Body, Structure & General Items
The structural inspection focuses on load-bearing areas of the body shell. The inspector checks for corrosion that has weakened the metal, sharp edges, and the security of major body components.
Items Checked:
- Vehicle body and structure — corrosion or damage to load-bearing areas (sills, floor pans, chassis rails, subframe mounts, spring mounts)
- Doors — hinges, catches, security, anti-burst locks
- Bonnet — catch security (primary and secondary latch)
- Boot/tailgate — security and operation
- Bumpers — security and sharp edges
- Fuel tank — condition, security, filler cap seal
- Exhaust system mounting — security and clearance
- Towbar — condition, security, coupling mechanism (if fitted)
- Sharp edges — any part of the bodywork that could cause injury to pedestrians
- Registration plates — correct format, legible, correctly spaced, not obscured, correct colour (white front, yellow rear)
- VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) — visible and legible
8. Exhaust, Emissions & Noise
The exhaust system is inspected for leaks, security, and condition. Tailpipe emissions are measured against the limits for the vehicle's age and fuel type.
Items Checked:
- Exhaust system — security, condition, leaks, excessive noise
- Catalytic converter — presence and condition (must not be removed)
- Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF) — presence (removal is a failure for vehicles originally fitted with one)
- Petrol emissions — CO (carbon monoxide), HC (hydrocarbons), and lambda readings tested at idle and fast idle
- Diesel emissions — smoke opacity (light absorption coefficient) tested under free acceleration
- Engine management light (EML/MIL) — must not be illuminated during the emissions test
- Exhaust noise — must not be excessive or unreasonably above the level expected for the vehicle type
9. Windscreen, Visibility & Washers
The inspector checks the windscreen, wipers, washers, and mirrors to ensure the driver has adequate visibility. Windscreen damage is assessed by its size and position relative to the driver's line of sight.
Items Checked:
- Windscreen condition — Zone A (290mm band centred on steering wheel): damage greater than 10mm is a failure. Remainder of swept area: damage greater than 40mm is a failure
- Windscreen tinting — excessive tinting is a failure. Front windscreen must allow at least 75% light transmission. Front side windows must allow at least 70%
- Wiper blades — condition of rubber, secure mounting, effective clearing
- Wiper operation — correct speed settings, intermittent function
- Windscreen washers — must provide adequate fluid to the windscreen for the wipers to clear effectively
- Rear wiper and washer — checked if fitted as standard
- Interior rear-view mirror — presence, condition, security
- Exterior mirrors — at least two mirrors required (one on the offside), condition and security
10. Horn
The horn is tested for operation and sound quality. It must produce a continuous, uniform sound that is loud enough to warn other road users.
Items Checked:
- Horn operation — must produce a continuous, uniform note
- Volume — must be loud enough to be heard by other road users
- Type — multi-tone horns, sirens, or musical horns are not permitted (the horn must produce a single continuous tone)
- Control — must be accessible to the driver without removing hands from the steering wheel
11. Registration Plates
Both front and rear registration plates are inspected for legibility, correct format, and condition.
Items Checked:
- Legibility — characters must be clearly readable
- Correct format — must comply with current regulations for font, spacing, and size
- Colour — white front plate, yellow rear plate (for vehicles registered after 1 January 1973)
- Security — must be securely fixed to the vehicle
- Condition — not obscured, damaged, or deteriorated
- Rear plate illumination — must be evenly lit
12. Mirrors
Mirrors are checked as part of the visibility inspection. The vehicle must have a minimum number of mirrors in acceptable condition.
Items Checked:
- Presence — vehicles first used from 1 August 1978 must have at least two mirrors, one of which must be fitted to the offside
- Condition — mirror glass must not be cracked, damaged, or discoloured to the point of impairing the driver's view
- Security — mirrors must be securely mounted and must not move excessively during driving
- Adjustment — mirrors must be adjustable from the driving position (where fitted as standard)
Pre-MOT Quick Reference Checklist
Use this simplified checklist at home before booking your MOT. These are the items you can easily check yourself.
Check Your Vehicle's MOT History
Review past test results, advisories, and failure reasons for any UK vehicle. See which components have been flagged on previous tests so you know exactly what to check before your next MOT.
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